Your Stories and Blessings
For the Unitarian Universalist Association's (UUA's) 48th Birthday on May 15th, 2009, we invited you to share blessings in your lives with us. We are deeply grateful to those who've offered stories; you inspire us daily to strengthen Unitarian Universalism (UUism) in our hearts and in the world.
Here are the stories that we've collected so far*:
I have always been a Methodist or Congregationalist. The very first time my husband, Don and I entered the front door of GPUUC in 2003, I had never felt such love and warmth from any Church in my past life. We feel very fortunate to be GPUUC members.
—Dolores Hams, Prescott, Arizona
Becoming a Unitarian Universalist some 10 years ago was the most emotional, spiritual, physically moving experience of my life. Having been raised in an Evangelical Lutheran Church, it was overwhelming to find that I was accepted without conditions and loved for just being me. There was no need for guilt or feeling of inadequacy. I knew that being part of the interconnecting web of life was all that was necessary. The truth so many search for or claim to have found is within each of us and how we let our life reflect that truth as part of this miraculous universe is all that matters. This feeling of inclusiveness, unconditional love and sharing all for the greater good is the essence of UUism and to it I am bound eternally.
—Gay Phillips, Austin, Texas
I have been going to the Kokomo fellowship for over 10 years now. I don't know why I first attended, as I hadn't been to a church in years and knew nothing about Unitarian Universalists. However, after that first day, I have attended almost every service. It was a breath of fresh air to meet people who valued a rational outlook on religion, something that was very rare in this small town. Since that time, I have met people from many different religious backgrounds as they have come through our fellowship. I wouldn't miss it for the world!
—Stephen Ewbank, Kokomo, Indiana
I attended the Unitarian church before the merger and was dedicated there as an infant. I belonged to a relatively conservative and dysfunctional home, but I feel that what I learned in Sunday School "saved my life," as I wrote in a lay sermon in recent years. The idea that I had the right to choose my own beliefs gave me the feeling of empowerment and the appreciation of nature made me feel love was all around even when people didn't express it. When times were rough, I had this to hold on to.
Later, I felt the support of a community to help me overcome shyness and live my values to make the world a better place to live and have received awards for my work. It is a continued support for living out my values in a changing world. I also feel it is a blessing to be in a multicultural community where I can learn and grow. Life will never be boring here.
—Joyce Dowling, Brandywine, Maryland
UUism has meant two things: 1. The ability to pursue faith-based social justice. 2. The recognition of atheist-humanism as a valid religious belief.
—Charlie Reed, Huntington Beach, California
As a fourth generation Unitarian—my faith as a UU has never been stronger as it has since my affiliation with my current church, Mt. Vernon Unitarian Church (MVUC). Here we live by our covenant, "Love is the teaching of this church, it's quest for truth is our daily task." At MVUC we really are a family, working together for the common cause of spirituality, social justice and the compassion of our fellow members and outreaching to others. The MVUC team operates like the TV commercial for the "Verizon Wireless Support Network"—where they have truly demonstrated that they can be there anytime and anywhere. I'm blessed to enjoy my worship with my "Verizon Wireless Network!"
—Vince Patton, Alexandria, Virginia
In 1933 my wife and I moved to Detroit when I got a job with Chrysler. We could not find the Unitarian Church. It turned out their Church had been sold and they had merged with the Universalist Church. We were Unitarian-Universalist and sent delegates to the General Assemblies of both denominations. In 1961 my wife was a delegate to the Universalists. I was not a delegate, but was so anxious to see the merger voted on that I arranged to go to Syracuse on business and listened in on many of the discussions and joint meetings. As the first President of the Michigan District I learned to have a good opinion of the Universalists.
—William Thompson, Phoenix, Arizona
After being raised in a dogmatic Christian church, UU opened my eyes to the realities of life.
—Evan Armstrong, Spokane, Washington
I remember how getting pregnant, being pregnant and then having my son felt like such a spiritual journey for me. I couldn't explain it in words, but felt compelled to find something, somewhere to channel these feelings I'd had and kept thinking about trying church again. But although my church upbringing was not horrible, and in truth I still felt personally tied to Christianity, the actual church did not work for me.
So my curiosity about UU was peaked—especially since my husband and I had had a Unitarian marry us. As we put together that ceremony, we kept thinking, "Now THIS is us!" The bottom line is that the UUism is about deeds not creeds, so my own personal journey, beliefs and growth as a person never feel compromised by "the Church."
—Anonymous, Baltimore, Maryland
Just about the time of the merger, my then girlfriend and I met with Orloff Miller about starting a college group at Boston University. Orloff and I met again on a committee working on material to be sent to college students throughout North America. Even later I worked with him when I was circulation manager for a quarterly magazine, The Liberal Context. In the early 2000s I met him again outside Frankfurt, Germany, where he had retired.
—Dan Tokar, Prescott, Arizona
While going through a painful divorce, I lived in an un-winterized cottage and worked as a landscaper on Nantucket Island. On my day off, Sunday, I sought out emotional support at the Unitarian Universalist Old South Church. I sat next to a wonderful older woman who instantly took me under her wing. Amazingly (or not) I also reunited with a friend from my high school days in Philadelphia whom I hadn't seen in 40 years. The new young woman minister, Jennifer Brooks, assured me that no matter where I ended up, I could always consider the Nantucket church my spiritual home. Although I have happily settled in Florida and joined UU St. Petersburg, I still feel a strong connection with my spiritual home.
—Laurie Clement, Tierra Verde, Florida
UU has been the one constant thread throughout my life. I was christened (yes, “christened”) by the Rev. Dr. Pierce at All Souls Unitarian Church in Washington, DC, in 1934. Then after meeting my future wife there in the LRY (the LRY were UUs before the larger merger), we were married by Rev. A. Powel Davies (no charge-on his birthday) June 5th, 1954. We were active in half a dozen UUs and I am now on the Committee on Ministry of our local Gainesville Fellowship.
—Denis A. Whittaker, Gainesville, Florida
We arrived at BUC (Birmingham Unitarian Church) with four young boys to try Unitarian Universalism on what turned out to be the first Sunday of Bob Marshall's long ministry there. As we drove away after the service, my wife asked me what I thought. I answered truthfully: "It's the first time I ever felt at home in a church." Then I turned to the kids in the back seat and asked, "What did you boys do in church today?" Paul, 9, piped up: "We made graven images." My wife and I roared. That was the start, for me, of more than 40 years in the congregation.
Unfortunately, that marriage came to an end, but after a few years, I met a wonderful woman, new to the congregation, who became my loving wife and partner—and congregational leader—for more than two decades until her death. From age 10 I was a much-doubting Christian. At BUC, surrounded by men and women seeking useful, moral answers for this life, not salvation in a promised future beyond the grave, I became a practicing, committed humanist ready to grapple with whatever came. That hasn't changed, through the dismal period between marriages and the dark months after the love of my life died. As I now approach 90, I'm prepared for whatever comes, including that final exit. Unitarian Universalism has given me that strength, and a lasting faith in myself, my lover and my children. One cannot ask for more.
—C. Edwin Howard, East Lansing, Michigan
My son, Sean Spivey, was 10 and in the Boy Scouts and saw the Religion in Life patch with the Chalice. He came home and asked "Mom, what is that? Whatever it is, I'm that!" We found the UU Church of Ft. Lauderdale, Rev. Kit Howell, camp at The Mountain and more. One of the gifts of being a UU is honoring young people. Sean gave complete services, including the sermon, was a delegate to GA, met Rev. John Buehrens, and was mentioned in a UU World column shortly thereafter. Sean had cystic fibrosis and died at 16. Unitarian Universalism was a profound blessing to him and to me.
—Mary Teslow, Franklin, North Carolina
I was first introduced to UU in my mid-20s, and was glad to find a place where questions were encouraged and diversity celebrated. When I married and had children, I wanted to bring them to a place where no question would be ridiculed and they could have the opportunity to choose their own paths. They are young adults now, one still UU and one following her heart in another direction. I am glad they are free to follow their paths in the direction their spirits lead.
For myself, my involvement with my church community has gifted me with leadership experience, confidence in many undertakings, and a loving community of supportive seekers who celebrate the path I follow, even when it differs from their own. I am learning to give my "elevator speech" and am happy when it results in introducing someone new to the freedom and responsibility I have found in this denomination.
—Suzi Skutley, Santa Paula, California
This year, the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Falmouth, MA, celebrates its 50th birthday. So our congregation is almost the same age as the Unitarian Universalist Association. In recent weeks, we've been reviewing the history of liberal religion during the last five decades. Fellowship members have talked about the civil rights movement of the 1960s. We've reflected on the women's rights movement, the gay rights movement, and the environmental movement. We've looked at peace and human rights concerns. Again and again, we've been impressed by the good work of Unitarian Universalists, in every region in North America. Our congregation is part of the story but we're only part. We're a "Fair Share" society and we're delighted that we've been able to join with others to affirm the principles of the Unitarian Universalist Association. Thank you! We look forward to the UUA's 50th birthday party, in the year 2011.
—Robert Murphy, Falmouth, Massachusetts
More than 35 years ago, after a life spent as an unchurched agnostic humanist (or so I later realized), I "found religion" in a small Unitarian fellowship in Arlington, Texas. My wife and I were parents of a preschooler; and in the Bible Belt we felt the need for some sort of religious affiliation. We were pointed to UU by a Jewish family we knew, and have been UUs ever since. (I am in my fourth term as congregation president.) I do not know what we would have done without UU—it's the center of our lives and a major part of our identity.
—John I. Blair, Arlington, Texas
For me, the first time I knew I was at home in this faith was during a service at All Souls Unitarian Church in DC—I don’t remember that service. But I stood surrounded by a multi-racial, multi-cultural congregation. We were Christian and humanist, atheist and Buddhist called to worship and work together that we might heal our poor broken city. David Eaton, their minister, inspired me; the choir lifted me.
That day at All Souls, I signed the book. Now, I realize how much this religion has given me that I was yearning for back then. My life was shallow and I knew it. I had friends and a condo, and vacations every year. I ate at L’Auberg Chez Francois, took in plays and concerts at the Kennedy Center. But homeless people lay on grates in front of my office. The Civil Rights movement had stalled and re-segregation was already well underway. And we knew the environment was in serious trouble.
My religion took me on a journey home, home to where my soul longed to be. Oh, it wasn’t a safe harbor I found that day. Unitarian Universalism has led me over and over again into uncharted waters. It called me to leave my nice secure job with a comfortable, fully funded pension for the challenging and risk-filled life of a minister. The members of the First Unitarian Church of Baltimore,where my husband and I were called to do co-ministry, challenged us to do something about GLBT rights. I learned first hand there about the shameful way many Americans treat transgendered people.
This faith still challenges me today, fifteen years later. This year doing interim ministry at Paint Branch UU Church has challenged me to eat more humanely and lightly on the food chain. My husband and I have decided to stop signing civil marriage licenses. I’m sixty-five, but life is still exhilarating. And scary. And good.
Adapted from A Saving Faith, a sermon presented at Paint Branch Unitarian Universalist Church on May 17, 2009, The Rev. Phyllis L. Hubbell, Interim Co-minister.
—Phyllis Hubbell, Essex, Maryland
I have been a member of CLF for over a decade. It amazes me how much a church without walls can shape a person's spirituality and nourish it so much. UUism allows me to be who I am and in a world that constantly asks us to conform, being accepted as I am and valued just because I am reminds me not to judge. I try to bring to every relationship with people (and with all creation) what UUism has given me. Alhamdulillah!
—Anonymous, Woodstock Valley, Connecticut
My partner and I had been looking for a church to attend, and a religion to call our own. We wanted to have spirituality in our lives, but always felt like we were not welcome or accepted in other religions. When we stumbled upon the UUA website, we both nearly cried from happiness. We have shared our new religion with everyone we know, and it has made us feel even more complete and happy. We no longer feel as if religion is something that we cannot partake in, and are extremely excited to become active members in our UUA community.
—Anonymous, Newport, Kentucky
My story for UUA:
Thank you UUA for giving me a spiritual home (at last). I found you in a very round-about way. A friend suggested I visit the web site called beliefnet.com and while there I chanced upon the Belief-O-Matic test.This test, asks a series of questions about your views and then matches you with a religious organization which matches these views (they hope—and with many disclaimers).
the results of the Belief-O-Matic were:
Neo-Pagan 100%
Unitarian Universalist 97%
I didn’t know were to go for the Neo-Pagans but a Pagan acquaintance once told me about UUA. At the time I was being hassled by people as to “what church I belonged to.” Some of this harassment was fairly strong. The Pagan told me; she would say she belonged to the UUA when people asked. I did some research on the web and found out where the nearest UUA was. After checking out the beliefnet I finally visited the NRUU in Beckley, WV.
What an astonishing and very, very pleasant surprise it was. This was where I belonged! I loved (love) the people and the freedom to believe what was true to me, was incredible.
Each week gets better; I can’t wait till Sunday. And by the way a Pagan group meets in the same place right after the UUA service. Wow! One stop shopping!
I have read the Pocket Guide, and am signed up for the Summer Institute to learn more. One of my goals as a UUA is to learn and practice tolerance. I want to be understanding and non-judgmental of the people who have such a hard time allowing me my beliefs.
Thanks again for a wonderful home.
—Sheila Hinchliffe, Age 65, Bluefield/Princeton, West Virginia
Share a story or blessing in YOUR life.
*Note: These stories are contributed by individual Unitarian Universalists; the content remains the opinion or statement of the contributor.
Last updated on Wednesday, October 7, 2009.
